In our Christian walk we seem to handling things pretty well. We have our trials and tribulations but we have grown spiritually to the point that we are able to stand on the word.
We can trust God for the bills to be paid, and trust him to take care of the child that is acting up in school etc.
Then something happens in our lives, we begin to go through something that is not the normal trials. This is much more devastating than what we ever experienced before.
The Psalmist said, “I went through the fire and water,” indicating that it was very severe.
Now it is time for your testing. It’s time for God to see what is in your heart, to see if you will keep His commandments or not. It is time for some shaping and molding.
Please know that God is there with you in the fire and water, He cares and He comforts. “And He Shall Sit as a Refiner” (Malachi 3:3).
This is a beautiful and comforting picture. The refiner never leaves his precious metal, but he sits by the fire and watches closely. He watches for that moment when the heat is sufficient to burn the dross and to leave the metal perfect.
He knows just the right amount of heat to apply and he applies it just the right length of time.
Have you ever felt like crying, “I cannot stand it” or “It’s more than I can bear.” No, it is not more than you can bear.
Remember, He sits by the fire –He knows how much you can bear.
At times like that recall His promise in I Corinthians 10:13, “But God is faithful, (He sits by the fire) who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation (trial) also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
So you can bear it. Never forget his promise “my grace is sufficient for thee.”
Always remember, your heavenly Father sits as a refiner. The fire is controlled. He will not send more that you can bear. But with every temptation He will provide a way of escape.
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